If a restaurant in San Francisco claims they are sustainable, how does the public know if that claim is legitimate?  Is there a 3^rd party auditing system that rates them? If a restaurant in San Francisco claims they uphold the highest health standards, the Department of Public Health can give them a rating.

So it makes sense that the San Francisco Department of Public Health is developing a standard for sustainable restaurants in San Francisco.  The Sustainable Restaurant Network is creating this standard to accurately inform people who want to spend their money in a restaurant that practices sustainability.

The Sustainable Restaurant Network is comprised of health professionals, restaurant entrepreneurs, government agencies and allied agencies. They are creating an auditing system that lets San Francisco’s foodies know how a restaurant impacts the local social and environmental landscape. Restaurants will be audited on nutrition, food safety, local community benefits and community service, working conditions for employees, sustainable food sourcing and environmental footprint.  The program is said to launch in the fall of 2012 when the first group of restaurants will be recognized.

Restaurants that want to be included in this audit must volunteer. To nominate a restaurant, sign up for program updates, learn more about the program, request a copy of the checklist, or with questions, please contact:

Paula Jones, San Francisco SRN Coordinator

Tel: (415) 252-3853 | Email: paula.jones@sfdph.org

Once this system is in place, people can feel confident that a 3^rd party has investigated and approved a restaurant’s claim of sustainability under a set of standards set forth by the Sustainable Restaurant Network.

Thanks to mnn.com and ecofriend.com for the photos.